Peace Puzzle and 1000 Woodcuts to Exhibit at Creative Framing & Gallery in California

Exhibits

Just finished exhibiting the previous four puzzle prints at the West Las Vegas Library Gallery courtesy of Clark County & City of Las Vegas Library District Arts Programs. Wonderful venues and always attract young and old art and book lovers and visitors from all over. Thank you all who came by and filled out the guest book.

And always joyous occasions when upcoming shows are taking form! Planning ahead to March 4th, save the date! 

CreativeFramingOakland.com

Here is the announcement Peace Puzzle Print (plus!) 

Event On Facebook: Opening Reception for Exhibit 

Post Cards for all!

The amazing Heather Piazza went on a work binge on Monday and sent me about 6287 messages ding ding ding ding ding dinnnnnggggg! about this show. By nightfall, she had the post card invitation all done. We are working on all the details but meanwhile, follow the link above and sign up to attend the exhibit opening or just say you are interested if you might make it or like it.

And pass these around! 

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

Happy Season Giveaway!

Time to Give

Last year I had a holiday giveaway for some of my woodcut cards and enjoyed it very much; I mailed out near 230 cards. The way I see it, might as well send cards to people who want them, right? Right!

So I printed yesterday and today and I'm ready again for the big mailing. I made some pinecones, reference to seeds. When I find myself not caring enough or not giving enough or simply not having enough empathy or compassion for someone else, I always think of that: "you reap what you sow."

These are engravings on Corian which allows me to get very fine detail and get crisp prints without "tiring" the block. The image(s) are called collectively "Tesoros de Mami" or "Mother's Treasures". My Mami went to the mountains with some friends, she travels all the time. This time she brought me some pinecones to make woodcuts from and also took some lovely pictures for me. Just that she thought of me and my art was kind of touching.

But wait, there's more! Scroll to the very bottom picture if you live in the EU

The slab with mixed ink, smells soooo good

First print, blocks are Corian (the countertop stuff)

Want one? Just message me!

 through Facebook or Twitter or email me your snail mail address and you get one. Oh joy! Let's get it going. Links to Facebook and Twitter at the bottom of this page and if you know my email you can send it through there. Last year I had a grand time and my phone ding dong ding dong with Facebook messages so much I thought I was listening to Carol of the Bells.

Anyhow, here are some close ups, I'm ready...

Oh joy! tiny pinecones everywhere

Closer

Much closer, the Corian allows me to get fine detail

Almost ready to mail, I have to sign them as they dry

BONUS! Wait what? Free money will come to some of you in the European Union. 

The story goes like this: in the Utah Arts Festival there was a cute little young girl from Ireland on vacation. She loved one of my works but didn't have enough US$ left and her credit card maxed out. But she had 100 Euros! So she asked me what the exchange rate was and I saw that she was looking at a woodcut that was $225 so I said, I think it's about 2.25 US dollars to the Euro. She bought it of course. (It's a miracle I EVER make any money...but she was so happy!!!)

So anyway, my bank wants an outrageous exchange rate to deposit them and besides, I remember the story and smile everytime. But it is now time to return them to the European Union so these will make their way into some of the cards. Maybe yours?

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

NEW shop Amazon Handmade - Making plans for 2016

Shop Handmade!

This year I decided to try out a new venture in Amazon Handmade. The reach of Amazon globally, the handmade label, sounded enticing; anyway you know what "they" say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Here is the shop link, I liked their layout very much:

http://www.amazon.com/handmade/1000woodcuts 

I also just added some framed items to my Etsy shop, have to keep renewing inventory and all those "stale" woodcuts need new homes. Great bargains in the Framed section and be sure to use the coupon on my front page HAPPYSEASON for a generous (I'm nothing if not generous) discount.
Here is my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/1000woodcuts

An online shop isn't as satisfying as being in a happy festival but there is no wind and no set-up bruises at the end. Also there isn't any contact with collectors but sometimes they send me a nice note after I rehome my woodcuts. Two days and I already made sales so that is a good thing!

Hiatus?!

I confess I am really not very good at sitting still. Adrenaline from the last festival still flowing I am planning my next year adventures already. First and foremost, clean my studio to get the creative blood pumping. I might rearrange some things and a little birdie told me I have a new toy coming for my birthday so I can't wait to play!

Good festivals are competitive and the application process begins about a year to six months in advance. I am leaving the first months of the year open for hiking and travel adventures but thereafter I hope to get into a few select good ones. 

I am looking at Arizona, Utah, Washington, Colorado and maybe California for Labor Day. Some local festivals too of course, maybe even an open studio in the works.

I will also be applying for a residency in a National Park or three! Why not, with several other residencies under my belt, I hope I get to go to a beautiful place and make art with visitors of the park.

A Closer Look, Red Rock Canyon residency image 2014

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

Peace out! and a gig coming up

So busy forgot to report

I have been so wrapped up in finishing the Peace Puzzle that I neglected my blog reports, although my Facebook page(s) have been updated very often with all the excitement. Since last blog post, I finished the book, sent to publishers, got it back with posters and mailed out the entire print and books to all the participants. Easier said than done!

I am also very pleased to report that due to the upgrade to Priority International mail seems nearly all packages have now arrived at their destinations. At least I don't have any complaints as of yet.

Here are some pictures of all the exciting mailing and such. First I got the books, and immediately rolled up prints and books and mailed them out. Good thing the USPS sorting facility now accepts many packages straight in their bulk hub. 

Gadget I built to sort the puzzle prints

books are here! books are here!

one of several loads

last load! to USPS bulk mailing

Gig alert!

And of course the upcoming gig! Scottsdale ArtFest 2015 is coming up this very weekend and I have been matting and framing and loading the truck. The wind is howling right now and I am hoping for calm sunny weather this coming weekend.

Scottsdale ArtFest is held downtown Scottsdale in the Arts Center/Museum beautiful grounds with walkways, water fountains and the famous LOVE sculpture right across from my booth. Booth number is 158 across from the Arts Center. 

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

Mammoth progress steps!

Progress Update on the Peace Puzzle

Let's check the check-list published a few posts ago and see how we are doing, shall we?

-Finish printing (roughly 3 days) - DONE!

-Finish image composite in high resolution and send to printshop to make posters (by weekend) - DONE!

-Finish colophon/book and send to Create Space (Amazon) to proof and print (another week or soish) - DONE! 

-Stamp all prints with our official Peace Puzzle 2015 stamp (half day) - working...

-Collate 160 sets (the other half) working...

Yet to do:

-Wait wait wait for book and posters to arrive back to me (...) ETA for posters October 28, ETA for books November 4

-Mail out 160 neat packages plus the backers (non-artists) packages (roughly 4 days)

-Go hiking in the Sierras like John Muir and come back six months later enlightened, skinny and with a long beard (six months) (looking forward to this one, especially the beard part, I've never grown a beard before)

Peace in Print: 160 Artists Make Peace

Honestly I didn't think I would finish the book by now but there it is, up and running, waiting for CreateSpace to send me my 190 books, some for participants and backers and some for extras. And the posters for book inserts have already been shipped! Still waiting on the large size posters for other backers of the project.

Soon available worldwide through Amazon online, print and e-book, and on Kindle:

ISBN-13: 978-1518740633 

ISBN-10: 1518740634 

Peace in Print book cover soon available in Amazon

Next?

While I wait I can collate the prints and stamp the backs, should be done in a day. Then I may begin taping the tubes and boxes and inserting the prints but I don't want them rolled up in there longer than they need to be. I can also prepare the spreadsheet for importing into my mailing widget so I can quickly crank out the mailing labels when the books get here.

Estimated mailing dates for artists and backers are November 8-10

I have an urge to clean up the garden and trim some branches and breathe some fresh air too! After a whole week of 14 hour days at the computer, I need some serious exercise in the open air, sun and sky.

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

Wee bit of construction and the book Peace in Print

Construction in the studio

There is only one solution when trying to fit 8 stacks of 160 prints each into my humble studio, go high! So this Sunday I built an "apartment building" to aid in collating the prints. Rough construction but I had some scrap wood and it will do very nicely when the time comes for collating the sets of prints. Incidentally for the first few years of my young adult life I stacked my few books and some plants on furniture made with cinder blocks and particle board shelves. Easy construction, easier take down, worked great, cheap as dirt...ah the days!

Anyhow, here are some pics of the Peace Shelves

Major stack of 1380 prints on a convenient hydraulic lift table

2x6 risers, 1x2 cross members, 3-ply corrugated cardboard shelves

First four

Instruments of mass construction

Ready to roll, captain, my captain!

...and the Peace in Print book

Constructing the information book isn't nearly as fun as playing with wood and screws but I really really want to be mailing before the Christmas rush hits the postal services. So I'm progressing nicely, below a pic of my "office" with my BFF Bamboo graphics tablet and Photoshop on the screen. Window keeps me sane. 

Each artist gets a page and that is what I'm working on at the moment, 160 images to be extracted from the Peace prints, one image for the location icon (top right), one image for the block (smaller) and one image for the resulting print with the background faded for effect (larger image). And of course the artist's name and location and whatever they wrote about their image. Coming along nicely!

Where it all gets put together

Thank goodness for the window and the coffee

Sample page for each artist

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

Sneak a peek!

Update

I am now merely 80 prints from finishing, sore and tired but extremely delighted to be nearly done. As the printing continues, I have now a good print and a good photo of all the panels and so you may, yes you may, sneak a peek at our Peace Puzzle. I am uploading a large image in 72dpi so make sure you click on the image and view at your heart's content (about 2000 pixels wide). Say it very quietly "yaaahoooooo" shhhhhh...

Peace Puzzle 2015 - 160 international artists

Remaining Tasks

As I finish printing I am also putting together the book, going faster now but there are only 24 good hours in any given day or I would be going faster yet. Oh, and I sleep too! Seriously, very close now to being completely finished. Here are the tasks remaining, each of them taking a wee bit longer to complete than to list:

-Finish printing (roughly 3 days)

-Finish image composite in high resolution and send to printshop to make posters (by weekend)

-Finish colophon/book and send to Create Space (Amazon) to proof and print (another week or soish)

-Stamp all prints with our official Peace Puzzle 2015 stamp (half day)

-Collate 160 sets (the other half)

-Wait wait wait for book and posters to arrive back to me (...)

-Mail out 160 neat packages plus the backers (non-artists) packages (roughly 4 days)

-Go hiking in the Sierras like John Muir and come back six months later enlightened, skinny and with a long beard (six months)

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

Quick update and an upcoming gig

Workshop

I have been up at Ft Worden in Port Townsend, Washington for the annual meeting of the Nature Printing Society http://natureprintingsociety.org/ 

Wonderful time! I both taught and learned, hiked and saw sunrises and sunsets. More on a later blog post with pictures.

Update on the Peace Puzzle

I left about 25 prints to be printed on the Flow block and have only two more to go. That means roughly 300 prints and I will be counting down in the days to come. Printing resumes promptly tomorrow and will continue at full throttle until finished. 

I still have to finish building the book-colophon to send to all participants, photograph, collate the prints and mail the whole shebang. Give or take three weeks worth of intensive work but I can now see the distant finish line through the haze.

Gig alert!

Only one gig left this year, in nearby Scottsdale Arizona, really Phoenix area. All the details upcoming here and on my Facebook page so stay tuned. I should have my location very soon and I may give away some tiny prints and other fun things. I love this setting and the whole downtown Scottsdale area, very cultural, very nice to walk around. Here are the details:

Scottsdale ArtFest 2015
Nov 21-22
Downtown Scottsdale Arizona
http://888artfest.com

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

Exhibition Alert! Puzzle Prints in West Las Vegas Library Gallery

Exhibit alert! 

The previous Puzzle Projects are about to be shown again. The exhibition entitled "In Perfect Harmony" at the West Las Vegas LIbrary Art Gallery from 9.15.2015 to 11.29.2015 (ooooh, my birthday!). Baren Puzzle (the Web), The Great Cairn, City of the World 2012 and the Fantastic Garden 2013 will be exhibited.
The West Las Vegas Library is located at 951 W Lake Mead Blvd 702-507-3980. Hours 10am to 8pm weekdays and to 6pm Fri/Sat/Sun.

Collaborative Puzzle Prints

Puzzle Prints are woodcut prints made in collaboration with hundreds of artists from all over the world. The Great Instigator gathers a bunch of artists, makes a giant design on a block of wood, cuts it up into tiny puzzle pieces and sends each puzzle piece to an artist. Each artist designs and carves a tiny woodcut under the theme of the project and sends back to me, er, I mean the Great Instigator. Once the puzzle is complete and put back together it is printed as a great big woodcut and each artist receives a copy of the entire print.
So far we have completed a 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8-panel print, panels are each 22x30 inches or 56x76 cm.

The last two projects also had a book published with reproductions of the entire print, photos of each participating artist's piece along with a blurb by each artist, project notes/photos and some very sophisticated artistic blah blah as an intro with some puzzle print history thrown in for good measure.
City of the World 2012 and the Fantastic Garden 2013 (in color) are available in Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Maria-Arango-Diener/e/B00J90Q808

To date 480 unique artists have participated in five puzzle projects, the latest one, the Peace Puzzle, in progress. Artists please update your resumes with this latest exhibit and thank you all for playing!

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

A Peaceful Mystery and More Progress

Progress Report!

Three blocks are now printed with the Water block having been completed, ooooh, about 30 minutes ago. I worked my helper Suzanne Salsbury until she cried...well, no, maybe that was ME that was crying! But we managed to print 75 prints today to finish off the block. We now have 156+136+135 prints done or 427 done and about 850 to go.

The LOVE BOAAAAT, I mean the Love Block is next, all prepped and ready for ink. Why do I keep singing the Love Boat song? Well when I first came to 'Merrica, I was assigned a good dose of daily television by my English as a Second Language teacher. So I learned all about the Brady Bunch, Opie's show, the Love Boat, Bewitched, and others like that. My cousins helped a lot, mostly screaming at Donny and Marie Osmond (mostly at Donny) and, oh yes, the Jackson Five with little Michael. I learned English fast :-)

Anyhow, back at the studio...

The Peaceful Mystery

So now to my mystery. If you recall I had some drop outs and had to cut some substitute blocks. I had just cut a block to fill in the Sun block. That's my block "You've got a friend" with the one dude helping the other dude get up the mountain. That's also my block above it with the happy Maria enjoying the vastness and beauty of nature. So when I received the block that belongs where the Friends go, I was happy to get something made by a participant other than Maria. Then I nearly freaked out...

The block I received was from an art festival friend and excellent artist and she designed the word "Peace" in Hebrew. Beautiful lettering and nothing strange about that...

...except that the block that is right next to it has the word "Peace" in Arabic. These participant artists do not know each other, neither knew the location of their block, and I randomly assign blocks to artists after they are packed so I don't know where they go or who will carve them. Make of that what you will! I love a good destiny mystery.

I will have to flip the letters in order for them to read correctly but all I could say is WOW! Then I looked up very carefully...

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

Progress report and more pieces in place

Progress report

About 115 prints are hanging high drying in my studio. My friend and fellow artist Mary Hill is now helping me and things go much faster with two. Tomorrow we hope to finish the first block...and then there are seven more to go! Oh how we love big projects--well, maybe just me, I love big projects. I do.

Sadly there are still 8 blocks outstanding someeeewheeeeeeere out theeeeeere over the rainbow or who knows where. I have received no response from 3 participants so today I cut some substitutes and I will carve something peaceful on them the next few nights. 3 or 4 drops out of 160 artists is really not bad at all, I am very happy with the participation. Onward!

Five more

Æleen Frisch Wallingford, CT USA

Peace, if it comes, will emerge as a surprise from a cocoon of uncertainly and dread.

Mary Weimer Green Avon Lake, Ohio http://emkaygee.wix.com/maryweimergreen

Peace is such a simple concept, but so difficult to achieve. My block suggests the hope of peace, even against bitter reality. 

Julianne Kershaw
Queensland AUSTRALIA

Bobbie Ann Howell
Las Vegas Nevada USA

Dimitris Grammatikopoulos
Terneuzen NETHERLANDS

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos